On Sunday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the ongoing conflict with Iran. Reports from Hebrew media indicated that the discussion touched on the potential resumption of hostilities with Iran and also referenced Trump’s recent visit to China. Following the call, Netanyahu was scheduled to bring together key ministers and advisors for a security meeting at his Jerusalem office, often referred to as the “small security cabinet.” This group typically includes Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and Shas leader Aryeh Deri.
Amidst reports that the U.S. and Israel are intensively preparing to renew military actions against Iran, possibly within the week, Sunday’s discussions gain added significance. This comes after a drone hit a nuclear power facility in the United Arab Emirates, which, alongside Israel, has been prominently impacted by Iran during the conflict. Anticipating further developments, Trump is expected to conduct a Situation Room meeting with his national security team on Tuesday to deliberate on military options concerning Iran. While negotiations have stalled since the ceasefire began on April 8, Trump maintains that Iran is interested in reaching a deal, although he has issued a stern warning to Iranian leaders to expedite their engagement.
During his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu remarked on the vigilance required concerning Iran, expressing interest in insights from Trump’s trip to China. Last week, Trump attended a summit in China with President Xi Jinping, who reportedly offered to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial passage for global oil supply currently blocked by Iran—and pledged not to furnish military support to Iran. Post-return from his China visit, Trump shared an AI-generated image on social media, captioned “It was the calm before the storm,” depicting himself and a U.S. Navy admiral amidst turbulent seas with ships, one of which bore the Iranian flag.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials have issued warnings in response to potential renewed U.S. military actions. Spokesman for the Iranian armed forces, Abolfazl Shekarchi, cautioned against further attacks, threatening significant and unpredictable retaliation. Additionally, Iran’s deputy parliament speaker, Hamidreza Hajibabaei, warned that any damage to Iranian oil infrastructure could severely disrupt global oil access. Despite Trump’s offer of a 20-year suspension on Iran’s uranium enrichment contingent upon a “real” guarantee, Iranian media reported dissatisfaction with the U.S. for failing to present substantial concessions in the ongoing negotiations.
The situation remains tense, particularly after a drone strike caused a fire near a nuclear power station in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. The incident, which reportedly did not result in injuries or affect radiation levels, has heightened concerns. The UAE has previously implicated Iran in attacks on its infrastructure. International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi condemned the attack, asserting that military activities endangering nuclear safety are unacceptable. Throughout the conflict, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have reportedly conducted military strikes on Iran, joining Israel and the U.S. in their opposition to Iran’s actions.